Journalist Shot In Ukraine Reveals Extent Of His Life-Changing Injuries
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News
Cameron Frew
Featured Image Credit: Credit: @BenjaminHallFNC/Twitter
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News
A British journalist who lost two of his colleagues in a Russian attack has revealed the extent of his injuries.
Vladimir Putin's 'special military operation' in Ukraine is approaching its seventh week, with Russia facing several war crime allegations after the 'massacre' in Bucha and attack on citizens fleeing a railway station in Kramatorsk.
Benjamin Hall, a correspondent for Fox News, was riding in a vehicle with cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and journalist Oleksandra 'Sasha' Kuvshynova near Kyiv on 14 March when they were hit by Russian shelling.
An update from @FoxNews’ @BenjaminHallFNC as we continue to keep him & his family in our thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/7sCYqiF0UT
— Fox News @ Night (@foxnewsnight) April 8, 2022
Zakrzewski and Kuvshinova were killed in the attack, while Hall survived - if only just.
In a tweet - which has since been deleted - alongside a photo of himself on a stretcher with an eye patch, he wrote (as per The Times): "To sum it up, I’ve lost half a leg on one side and a foot on the other.
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"One hand is being put together, one eye is no longer working, and my hearing is pretty blown. But all in all I feel pretty damn lucky to be here - and it is the people who got me here who are amazing!"
Bret Baier narrates a segment remembering Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski. "Pierre was a steady presence in uncertain times. When a correspondent or producer arrived and saw Pierre waiting for them, they knew they were in good hands. Because he could do just about anything." pic.twitter.com/5FswDuRRC5
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) March 15, 2022
In another tweet, Hall added: "It’s been over three weeks since the attack in Ukraine and I wanted to start sharing it all. But first I need to pay tribute to my colleagues Pierre and Sasha who didn’t make it that day.
"Pierre and I travelled the world together, working was his joy and his joy was infectious. RIP."
At least seven journalists have been killed in the war in Ukraine: Yevhenii Sakun, Brent Renaud, Oksana Baulina, Maks Levin, Mantas Kvedaravičius, and Zakrzewski and Kuvshinova.
Seven journalists have been killed and several have gone missing or been detained since Russia launched a full-scale assault on Ukraine in February.
— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) April 5, 2022
CPJ is tracking regional press freedom violations. Learn more and see our interactive map: https://t.co/pB0Ds2IOhB pic.twitter.com/LkWX8iCMpG
Dr. Richard Jadick, a combat doctor and Bronze Star recipient, flew out to Kyiv to help with the evacuation of Americans. He was informed they had to help a critically wounded patient, who turned out to be Hall.
He told Fox News: "I was there at the right place and at the right time... I saw Ben and I looked at him I said, 'Ben, you don't know me, my name is Rich Jadick, I'm a surgeon, I'm here to get you out of here.'"
Jeanne Cavelier, of Reporters Without Borders, said: “As their reporting is essential in order to understand the war in Ukraine, and attacking journalists is a war crime under international law, we call on the Russian and Ukrainian authorities to guarantee their safety on the ground.”
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information